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Ayla rather hoped Marthona would tell her why The woman stopped and took a drink of her tea

“I would like to give you soift’ Marona gave you,” the older woman said when she finished her drink and put the cup down

“You have already givenbeautiful to wear,” Ayla said “Dalanar’s mother’s necklace”

Marthona s rooarment draped over her ar tunic in a pale, soft color rather like the whitened ste winter, beautifully decorated with beads and shells, sewings of colored thread, and long fringes, but it was not made of leather On close inspection, Ayla saw that it was made of thin cords or threads of some fiber crossed over and under each other, rather like basketry in texture, but very rightly woven How could anyone weave such fine cords like that? It was similar to the mat on the low table, but even more fine

“I have never seen anything like this,” Ayla said “What land of material is it? Where does it come from?”

“I make it; I weave it on a special frame,” Marthona said “Do you know the plant called flax? A tall, thin plant with blue flowers?”

“Yes, I’m familiar with a plant like that, and I think Jondalar said it was called flax,” Ayla said “It’s good for severe skin problems, like boils and open sores and rashes, even inside the mouth”

“Have you ever twined it into cordage?” Marthona asked

“I may have, I don’t recall, but I can understand how it could be It does have long fibers”

“That’s what I used to make this”

“I know that flax is useful, but I didn’t know it could be used toas beautiful as this”

“I thought youfor the

Su soon, at the next fullto wear for special occasions,” Marthona said

“Oh, Marthona, how nice of you,” Ayla said, “but I do have a Matrimonial outfit Nezzie made it for me, and I proht it withlast year It is made in the Mamutoi style, and they have special customs about the way it should be worn”

“I think it would be most appropriate for you to wear a Mamutoi Matri to wear, and I wasn’t sure if we’d have ti before we leave Please keep this anyway,” Marthona said, sht she seemed relieved “Youspecial”